Display rack



R. WARREN DISPLAY RACK March 8,1927. 1,619,900

Filed April 10. 1926 3 Sheets-Shegt 1 R. WARREN March 8, 1927.

DISPLAY RACK Filed April 10. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES RICHARD WARREN, 013 WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DISPLAY RACK.

Application filed April 10, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in display racks and more particularly to an improved structure for displaying rugs, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a rack for displaying rugs so constructed as to permit of successive display of any desired number of rugs in a short period of time and in a most attractive manner, so that the time and labor usually spent in spreading out rugs for display purposes, in the usual manner, is substantially entirely saved.

The invention contemplates a structure comprising a plurality of supporting shelves arranged one above another upon which the rugs are normally laid in spread out condition, and it is another object of the inven tion to provide novel means whereby the rugs may be drawn out for display purposes and automatically returned promptly upon being released.

Another object of the invention is to so construct and arrange the shelves of the display rack that the rugs will be spaced one above another a sul'ticient distance toenable a customer to make a tentative selection without the necessity of the salesman withdrawing all of the rugs in succession, so that where rugs of distinctive patterns are arranged within the structure and any one or several of the rugs appears attractive to the customer, the particular rug or rugs to which he is attracted may be drawn out and displayed without disturbing the other rugs.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the display rack that while means is provided for supporting the rugs in spread out condition and for automatically returning the rugs to such supporting means after they have been withdrawn for exam ination by a customer, the rugs will not be subjected to any appreciable wear nor be liable inany way to be damaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby, after a rug has been withdrawn, it may be retained for any desired period of time in such position so as to permit thorough inspection of the same by the customer.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the display racks that the rugs on display therein will be protected from dust both while the rack is adjusted to permit of display of the rugs and likewise while the rack is not in actual use.

Another object of the invention is to pro- Serial No. 101,125.

vide means for engaging and retaining the rugs in place without liability of injury thereto such as might be occasioned by means for this purpose embodying spurs or other piercing elements.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the display rack embodying the invention, the front of the rack being shown in open position.

Figure 2 is a vertical front to rear sectional view through the rack.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the display rack with the dust excluding top thereof re moved and a part broken away.

Figure 4 is a vertical front to rear sectional View takensubstantially on the line H of Figure 8, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional perspective View illustrating a portion of the frame structure of the rack and the means associated therewith for supporting a rug in draped or suspended position beside the structure.

The display rack embodying the invention comprises a frame structure including corner uprights 1 which are preferably of angle iron construction to provide for rigidity and which are provided at their lower ends with feet 2. 1 The uprights at the opposite sides of the frame structure are relatively braced by intersecting diagonal brace bars 3 which extend between the upper and lower end portions of the uprights in intersecting relation, as best shown in Figures 8. t and 5 of the drawings. The said uprights at each side of the frame structure are likewise relatively braced by angle iron bars 4 which are riveted or otherwise secured at their ends to the uprights and extend parallel to one another and in a vertical series. The number of these angle iron bars .at each side of the frame will correspond to the number of rugs to be arranged within the rack and constitute the side members of rug supporting shelves 5. The side members 4 are so arranged and secured to the uprights 1 that their horizontal flanges or wings will have their outersides presented downwardly, and front and rear cross bars 6 and 7 respectively, are riveted or otherwise secured at their ends to the under sides of the said wings and constitute the front and rear members of the respective shelves. The numeral 8 indicates a plurality of fiat shelf bars which are secured at their front and rear ends to the upper sides of the bars 6 and Tand extend parallel to one another and constitute the 7 bottom of each respective shelf. These bars returned to their positions upon the respective shelves through the medium of the means to be presently explained, so that there is minimum wear on the rugs.

The brace bars 3 at each side of the frame structure are secured to the outer sides of corresponding wings of the angle iron uprights 1, and the side members 4: of the shelves are secured to the inwardly presented sides of the said wings of the uprights so that the said cross braces 3 are spaced slightly from the said angle iron side members a, and in order to close the opposite sides of the frame structure and prevent the entrance of dust thereinto, side plates 9 of sheet metal are slidably fitted in a downward direction through the open top of the frame structure. between the side members 4 and the said braces 3 and they are thus maintained in a position to serve their purpose as closures for the sides of the frame structure, each plate being provided along its upper edge with an inwardly projecting flange 10 which, in the lowered or normal position of each side plate, rests upon the upper edge of the upstanding wing of the uppermost side member 4 at each side of the said frame structure, as most clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings.

Upper and lower cross bars 11 and 12 are secured at their ends to the uprights 1 at the rear corners of the frame structure and extend horizontally between the same, and the rear cross bars 7 of the shelves have their rear edges spaced forwardly a short distance from the plane occupied by the forward sides of the said bars 11 and 12 so as to accommodate rear closure plates indicated by the numeral 13, which are of sheet metal and which serve to substantially completely close the rear of the frame structure and exclude dust therefrom. These plates 13 are arranged side by side and each extends approximately one-half the width of the rear side of the frame structure. Each plate is formed near its upper edge with a head 14 and near its lower edgewith a similar head 15 and the plates are fitted into position. through the upper open side of the frame structure, and in a downward direction, he-

tween the rear edges of the cross bars 7 and the forward sides of the bars 11 and 12. lVhen the plates 13 are so arranged, their upper beads 1 1 will engage beneath the lower edge of the upper cross bar 11 and their lower beads 15 will engage upon the upper edge of the lower cross bar 12. and the plates will thus be supported in position to close the rear of the frame structure. The bars 11 and 12 serve afurther purpose which will presently be explained.

The invention contemplates the provision of means for clamping one margin of each rug to be displayed and which means is slidably movable over a respective one of the shelves 5, in combination with other means connected there ith for yieldably resisting forward sliding movement of the rug clamping means so that the rugs may be drawn out over the shelves for the purpose of display and, when released, will be automatically retracted to position resting flat upon the respective shelves. The clamping means is indicated in general by the numeral 16 and the same comprises a bar 17 of a length equal substantially to the width of the shelf upon which the clamping means is disposed, and this bar is provided along its forward edge with a shallow upstanding flange indicated by the numeral 18. The clan'iping means further embodies a clamping bar 19 for coaction with the bar 17, and cl amping bolts 20 having wing nuts threaded thereon are engaged through the bars and are adapted to be tightened to cause the bars to clamp between them the rear margin of a rug supported upon the shelf. It will be observed that the bar 19 of each clamping member is of less width than the bar 17 so that the forward edge of the bar 19 is spaced inwardly a short distance from the upper edge of the flange 18 of the respective bar 1. audit will likewise be observed by reference to Figure 2 that the. margin of a rug disposed between the forward marginal portions of the bars will be clamped in such a manner that said marginal portion of the rug will extend over the upper edge of the flange 18 and between said flange and the forward edge of the bar 19. In this manner, the rear marginal portions of the rugs to be displayed are securely clamped and yet without any likelihood of injury to the material and without the material being pierced by spurs or other similar devices which are ordinarilv em 'iloyed. Short tongues 21 are riveted or otherwise secured to the bars 17 and project rearwardly between the relatively adjacent vertical edges of the plates in the normal positions of the clamping members 1.6. A bar 22 is secured at its upper and lowerends to the cross bars 11 and 12 and brackets 23 are secured to the said bar 22 at the upper and lower ends thereof and extend rearwardly and support between them, in vertical position, :a bar 124 to which are connected the housings or mountings for a series of pulleys 25. Cables 26 are [connected, each to a respective one of the tongues 21 of the clamping mel-nbers 16, and are passed about the pulleys 25, certain of the cables being led toward one rear corner of the frame structure and about pulleys 27 mounted upon the rear corner upright of the frame stri-icture, these cables, beyond the pulleys 27., being led upwardly and forwardly and over individual pulleys 28 mounted upon the outer side of a supporting bar 29 secured at its ends to the upper ends of the corner uprights at the corresponding side of the frame structure. From the pulleys 28. the cables are led downwardly and support at their lower ends weights which are indicated by the numeral and, therefore, there is a cable or flexible connection between each weight and a respective one of the clamping members 16, and the weights are so proportioned as to mass as to normally hold the respective cables tensioned and-consequently hold the respective clamp ing n'ieinbers 16 and the rugs clamped there by. in the rearward or normal position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The last mentioned stretches of the cables are located directly outwardly of the respective or adjacent side plate 9, as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The cables from the remaining rug clamping de' vices are led over the pulleys 2-5 and toward the opposite rear corner of the frame and thence about pulleys 31 which correspond to the pulleys 27. These cables are then led forwardly beside the frame structure and about pulleys 32 which are mounted upon a bracket plate 33 supported upon the corresponding front corner upright 1 of the frame structure. From the pulleys 32, the cables are led upwardly and over pulleys 34 corresponding; to the pulleys 28 and thence downwardly and at their lower ends are connected to weights 35 which correspond to the weights 30. This relatively different arrangement of the pulleys at the opposite sides of the frame structure is to avoid leading the cables from the lower rug clamping devices upwardly at too great an angle to the pulleys which are mounted at the top of the last mentioned side of the frame structure. The shelves 5 will be constructed of dimensions to support runs of approximately corresponding dimensions. and it will be observed by reference to Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the drawings, that the forward free marginal portions of the runs project a. short distance beyond the forward sides of the re spective shelves so that these portions may be. grasped and a pull exerted upon any one of the runs to withdraw it in a forward di rection for the purpose of exhibition. It will be evident that when any one of the rugs is withdrawn, the corresponding counterweight will be elevated and, when the rug; is released, it will be. automatically retracted through the pull exerted upon the as- .sociated cable.

In order that the open front of the dis play rack may be closed at the end of the days business and otherwise when the rack is not in use, and likewise in order that any particular rug may be maintained in a withdrawn position to display it for any considerable length of time without the necessity of manually holding it withdrawn, means is provided Wriltll will now be described. Said means comprises a rectangular frame indicated in general by the numeral 36 and comprising side members 37, a rear cross member 38, and a front cross member 39. The side members of the frame are preferably of L-angle iron and the rear and front cross members 88 and 39 are preferably in the form of bars. Hinges t0 serve to swing- I ingly connect the frame at its rear corners with the front uprights 1 of the frame structure so that the frame may be swung upwardly to the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings or may occupy a lowered horizontalposition as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, in which latter position it is supported by a foot 41 secured to the under side of the front cross member 39 intermediate the ends thereof. Frame bars 4-2 are secured at their front and rear ends to the front and rear cross members of the frame and a plate 43 is hinged at its rear edge as at a l to the rear cross bar 38 and, in the lowered position of the frame, adapted to rest flat upon the same as shown in Figures 1, 2- and 3 of the drawings. and, when the closure structure as a whole is swung upwardly, the plate will ccupy substantially the position shown in Figure l, in which position it will close the normally open front of the structure. In order to brace the closure in its lowered position. arms 45 and 46 are pivotally connected respectively to. one of the uprights 1 of the frame structure and to the corresponding side member 37 of the frame of the closure and are likewise mutuallypivotally connect ed at their other ends as indicated by the numeral 47, the pivot or hinge being of the locking type so that when the closure is lowered the arms 45 and 46 will be in alinement and the frame will be held against upward swinging. In order that the closure may be held inwits closed or upwardly swung position, a latch member 48 is pivotally connected with the side member of the frame of the closure to which the arm -16 is connected and has a hooked end 49 which is engageable with a laterally projecting stud 50 upon the corresponding upright 1 of the frame structure. When the closure frame 36 is in the substantially upright position shown in Fig ure 4 of the drawings, the plate 1-3 will occupy a position closing the front of the rack as likewise shown in the said figure. hen the closure structure is lowered it will extend directly forwardly from the lower portion of the front of the frame structure of the rack and inasmuch as the arms-:15 and 16 ar connected by a hinge of the type heretofore referred to. the said closure will be maintained in this posit-ion and restrained from upward swinging movement. In order that a rug withdrawn from its position upon any one of the shelves may be displayed to ad vantage for any desired length of time without the necessity of being manually held in retracted or withdrawn position, a clamping member 51 is provided and comprises right angularly disposed portions, one of which is engaged against the forward edge of the cross bar 39 and a clamping bolt 52 is fitted upwardly throu g'l'i the said cross bar and through an opening; in the other portion of the clamping member and threaded that the intermediate portion of the front margin of the rug, when the run is retracted. will be engaged in this recess and be tween the clamping member and the front cross member 39, after which the thumb nut 58 is tightened. In this manner the rug is held withdrawn for display or inspection and when it is no longer desired that it be held in this position, it'is only necessary to loosen the wing; nut whereupon the rue; will be released and automatically returned to its proper shelf.

In order that dust and other accumulations may be prevented from settlingupon the rugs through the top of the structure, a sheet metal closure 56 is removably disposed upon the top of the frame structure and is provided at its front and rear edges with de pending flanges 57 which, at their ends, engage against the upper ends of the front and rear corner uprights 1.

In order that other rugs may be displayed in a suspended position and add to the attractiveness of the display rack, and likewise in order to conceal the weiqhts and cables without the necessity of housing; the same. a

bar 58 is provided at its ends with bracket elements 60 which are fitted through the bracket ends of the bar 58, through the ends of the respective bars 29, and through the upper ends of the corner uprights 1 at the corresponding side of the frame structure. A clamping bar 61 is supported upon threaded studs 62 which project laterally outwardly from the bar 58, and after the upper marginal portion of a rug has been arranged between the bars 58 and 61, nuts 63, which are threaded onto the studs 62, are tightened, so as to cause the bar 61 to clamp the said marginal portion of the rugand suspend the rug in the manner most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings, in which position it will xtend over substantially the entire side of the frame structure ano conceal from view the weights and cables which are. located opposite the said side of the'frame structure.

lVhile the rack embodying the invention is designed primarily for the display of rugs, it may be employed fordisplaying tapestries, oil cloth, or any other articles of merchandise or material which are sold in sheet form.

Having thus described the invention what I claim is:

1. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure comprising corner uprights, a plurality of shelves comprising side rails secured to and extending between the uprights at opposite sides of the structure, each shelf further comprising front and rear cross members extendingbetween the front and rear uprights respectively and a plurality of bottom strips extending parallel to and bet-ween the side rails. the shelves being arranged one above another and spaced whereby the rugs to be displayed may be supported flatwise thereon. a clamp slida'bly mounted upon each shelf and guided between the side rails thereof and embodying means for clamping engagement with the margin of a rug disposed upon the respective shelf, counterweights. and connections between the counterweights and respective ones of the clamps. the said counterweights and connections constituting means for yieldably holding the clamps in retracted position upon the shelves and likewise constituting means for retracting; the clamps and the rugs connected therewith upon with drawal of the rugs over the shelves and release of the rugs.

2. In a display rack for rugs and the like. a frame structure: open at one side, a plurality of shelves arrange-d one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidablv supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf. means connected with each of the attaching means yieldably resisting movement thereof in. the direction of the open side of the frame structure and constituting means for retracting the rug to posi tion upon the shelf after it has been drawn outwardly thereover and released, and means arranged in advance of the open side of the frame structure for the temporary connection of the margin of any of the rugs therewith and thus maintain the same in withdrawn position.

3. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidably supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, means connected with each of the attaching means yieldably resisting movement thereof in the direction of the open side of the frame structure and constituting means for retracting the rug to position upon the shelf after it has been drawn outwardly thereover and released, a frame for the open side of the frame structure hinged thereto, a. closure plate hinged to the frame, means for holding the closure plates and frame in closed position, and means for temporarily connecting the margin of any rug with the frame when the same is in its open position. a

4:. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidably supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, means connected with each of the attaching means yieldably resisting movement thereof in the direction of the open side of the frame structure and constituting means for retracting the rug to position upon the shelf after it has been drawn outwardly thereover and released, a closure for the open side of the frame structure comprising a frame hinged to the frame structure at the lower side of said open side thereof, a closure plate hinged to the said closure frame for closing the open side of the structure when the frame is swung upwardly, means for supporting the frame in lowered position with the closure plate resting thereon, and means for maintaining the fga ne in an upwardly swung closed position.

5. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidably supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, means connected with each of the attaching means yieldably resisting movement thereof in the direction of the open side of the frame structure and constituting means for retracting the rug to position upon the shelf after it has been drawn outwardly thereover and released, a closure for the open side of the frame structure comprising a frame hinged to the frame structure at the lower side of said open side thereof, a closure plate hinged to the said closure frame for closing the open side of the structure when the frame is swung u-pwardly, means for supporting the frame in lowered position with the closure plate resting thereon, and means for maintaining the frame in an upwardly swung closed position, and clamping means upon the frame for Goaction with the margin of any one 'of the rugs when retracted, whereby to temporarily hold the said rug in retracted and display position.

6. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, a clamp slidably supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, a pulley at the rear of each shelf, pulleys at the opposite'sides of the frame structure fiGXll Jl Q elements connected with the clamping members and trained over the respective first and second mentioned pulleys, weights suspended by the said flexible elements to maintain the said elements tensioned whereby to provide for retraction of the rugs connected with the clamps after said rugs have been drawn outwardly over the shelves and released, and means at the top of the frame structure at each side thereof for suspending a rug for the purpose of display and in such position that the said rug will constitute means for concealing the said last mentioned pulleys and the flexible elements trained thereover, together with the weights suspended from said elements.

7. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidably supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, means coacting with the attaching means for retracting the same upon withdrawal of the respective rug and release thereof, the frame structure including corner uprights supporting the said shelves, braces extending between the corner uprights at each side of the structure and spaced with respect to the adjacent sides of the shelves, and side closure plates slidably fitted between the said braces and the said sides of the shelves and provided at their upper portions with means for coaction with the sides of the uppermost shelf for the purpose of suspension.

8. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidably supported upon each shelf for attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, means coacting with the attaching means for retracting the same upon withdrawal of the respective rug and release thereof, the frame structure including corner uprights supporting the said shelves, braces extending between the corner uprights at each side of the structure and spaced with respect to the adjacent sides of the shelves, side closure plates slidably fitted between the said braces and the said sides of the shelves and provided at their upper portions with means for coaction with the sides of the uppermost shelf for the purpose of suspension, the said frame structure further including transverse connecting bars extending between the rear corner uprights and located near the top and bottom thereof, and a closure plate for the rear of the structure slidably removably disposed in rear of the said cross bars and supported between the same and the rear sides of the shelves. 7

9. In a display rack for rugs and the like, a frame structure open at one side, a plurality of shelves arranged one above another within the structure for supporting the rugs to be displayed, means slidably supported upon each shelffor attachment to a rug laid upon the shelf, means coacting with the attaching means for retracting the; same upon withdrawal of the respective rug and release thereof, the frame structure including corner uprights supporting the said shelves, braces extending between the corner uprights at each side of the structure and spaced with respect to the adjacent sides of the shelves, side closure plates slidably fitted between the said braces and the said sides of the shelves and provided at their upper portions with means for coaction with the sides of the uppermost shelf for the purpose of suspension, the said frame structure further including transverse connectingbars extending between the rear corner uprights and located near the topand bottom thereof, a closure plate for the rear of the structure slidably removably disposed in rear of the said cross bars and supported between the same and the rear sides of the shelves, and means upon the said plate engaging the said cross bars to prevent displacement of the plate.

In testimony whereof I ElillX my signature RICHARD lVARREN. [1 .8.1 

